Post by Sumi on Oct 12, 2012 22:31:26 GMT 5.5
There was utter chaos in Sri Matha one day. Periyaval was not to be seen anywhere. "How did he vanish when so many surrounded him and watched him all the while? What were the close attendants and guards doing anyway? The Senior Manager was furious with the guards and attendants, and scolded them.
Things had been quite normal that morning. Periyaval had got up very early as usual, bathed, completed his japa and daily routine of penance, then performed the ritualistic worship of Sri Candramoulisvara, gave tirtha prasada to devotees, bathed again, performed anustana and then went in for bhiksa. After that he was not to be seen. Learning of the sequence of events, the Senior Manger flew into a rage.
Two attendants always stayed close to Periyaval. One of them was unwell and had gone to his village to recuperate. The other had gone to his native village to perform the annual obsequies for his father. A newcomer, who did not know Periyava well, was in attendance. When Periyava went in for his bhiksa, the young man had gone off to take a nap. Periyava went into a small room after he accepted bhiksa, lay down on a bamboo mat and pulling it around him, rolled himself into it.
Anxiety was large on every face. When the attendant was questioned, he replied, "I dozed off a bit". There was absolute confusion on all sides. It did not seem proper to make the news public, nor could anyone sit back unconcerned, without searching for Periyaval. No one imagined that Periyaval would have couched himself inside a bamboo mat. Finally, at five-thirty in the evening, Periyaval got up and came out to do his anustana. He came to the puja hall of Sri Candramoulisvara and gave darsan to everyone. Everyone began to breathe only then, so to say.
Meanwhile, a lot more had happened. The attendant who had indulged in the siesta had got a few slaps from the Manager. An old woman vowed to Pillayar. "May Periyaval be safe! I shall break a hundred and eight coconuts at your temple!"
"Kamakshi, O Mother! I shall perform abhiseka for you with milk. Let Periyaval come back", prayed a housewife.
Yet another lady made a vow to the Lord of Seven Hills. "Perumale! Find Periyaval and bring him back. I shall perform angapradakSina!"
The Senior Manager had revived after he saw Periyaval. He told Periyaval what they had all gone through. "We were all so shaken! Vows have been made by everyone".
"Did so may of you pray to the Lord for my sake? You must all (remember to) fulfill your vows. I will live for a hundred years, don't worry".
Then Periyaval called for the new attendant and consoled him. "Take it that the slaps were given for sleeping in the afternoon, which is forbidden (by the Sastra)", he said. Periyaval narrated a number of interesting events to the young man and coaxed him back to cheerfulness.
Such was Periyaval's divine sport!
Source: "In the Presence of the Divine". Translator - Sujatha Vijayaraghavan